Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

                                                                                                            1 John 3:13-15 

There are two biblical concepts that it is impossible to divorce from one another. Loving others and possessing spiritual life are two indispensable traits of an authentic Christian life and we cannot claim one without the other. Somewhere along the way, it seems that many in the church have forgotten this basic spiritual reality. In today’s passage, John makes a statement regarding love and life and how the two are eternally connected. Carefully consider his words:

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren (other believers).

A loving, gentle, kind, and patient attitude towards other believers is the true test of Christian authenticity and as we find ourselves exercising this kind of attitude, we can know that we have moved from spiritual death into spiritual life. This is a theme that John continues to address as he moves through his letter. Consider these consecutive passages, all dealing with the connection between love, living in the Light that is Jesus Christ, and possessing spiritual life:

The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.  

                                                                                                                        1 John 2:9

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. 

                                                                                                                        1 John 3:14

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

                                                                                                                     1 John 4:7-8 

And John is not alone. Consider these words from Paul, James, and Jesus Himself: 

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

                                                                                                   1 Corinthians 13:13 

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

                                                                                                            Romans 13:10 

In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

                                                                                                                     Matthew 7:12 

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

                                                                                                                        James 2:8 

If we were to unpack the truth from every one of those passages of scripture and begin to paint the portrait of someone who truly loves his/her fellow man, it would look something like this:

Loving others indicates 7 things:

We are walking in the Light of Christ

We know that we have passed from death into life

We prove that we are born of God and know God

We understand that love is the greatest and most primary thing in life

We have fulfilled the Law of God

We are obedient to the Law and the Prophets

We are doing (living) well

Consider the opposite for each of those statements and we get a sense of what life would be like apart from possessing a loving, caring attitude toward others.

John does not mix his words when he describes someone refusing to love others:

Whoever does not love others:

Abides in death

Is the equivalent of a murderer

Is not born of God

Does not know God

Walks in spiritual darkness

Does not possess eternal life

I recently spoke to yet another person who has struggled with unloving, judgmental attitudes coming from some who claim the name of Jesus. This young man, like many, carries past baggage that acts as an obstacle to his seeing the love of God demonstrated in his life. To be clear, none of us can use the actions of others as a means to excuse ourselves for sinful, ungodly behavior however, the church does itself no favors when it fails on such a basic, primary level. The connection between loving others, living in the light of Christ, and possessing eternal life in undeniably connected. I would like to challenge all who claim to walk in the Light of Jesus to exhibit the same qualities that we see in Jesus during His earthly ministry, the same traits that Paul lists as fruits (outcomes) of a life guided by the Spirit of God. God is love and if we are truly interested in conveying that to others, we can little afford to be the opposite. Let’s consider the lists above and determine to make loving others a primary part of our Christian life!